Apparatus for refurbishing used cores for rolls of material

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 2 ) for refurbishing used cores ( 4 ) for rolls of material, which apparatus comprises: stripper means ( 6 ) for stripping remaining material ( 8 ) from the used cores ( 4 ); feed means ( 10 ) for feeding the used cores ( 4 ) to the stripper means ( 6 ); cleaning means ( 12 ) for cleaning the used cores ( 4 ) after they have been treated by the stripper means ( 6 ); and adhesive applicator means ( 14 ) for applying adhesive to the used cores ( 4 ) whereby the used cores ( 4 ) are then ready for re-use as refurbished cores for new rolls of material.

This application is a national stage entry of PCT/GB04/04069, filed Sep.23, 2004.

This invention relates to apparatus for refurbishing used cores ofmaterial. The material may be printing paper for the printing industryor other material for other industries.

Cores for rolls of material have traditionally been thrown away afterthe material on the core has been used up. The cores that are used inindustry are often of a large size and/or are such that their productionrepresents a significant cost item. The disposal of the cores iswasteful, both in terms of the need to dispose of the old cores, and interms of the need to provide new cores. In addition, in the printingindustry, developments in technology have provided reel tracking systemsfor tracking the rolls of paper as they progress from paper mills towarehouses, docks, customer paper stores and printing machines. Thesetracking systems involve tagging the cores with identity tags. Theidentity tags are a significant cost item, and users are not satisfiedat having to pay for the cost of the identity tags if they are thrownaway with the used cores when the printing paper on the cores has beenused up.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentionedproblems.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for refurbishingused cores for rolls of material, which apparatus comprises:

-   -   stripper means for stripping remaining material from the used        cores:    -   feed means for feeding the used cores to the stripper means;    -   cleaning means for cleaning the used cores after they have been        treated by the stripper means;    -   adhesive applicator means for applying adhesive to the used        cores whereby the used cores are then ready for re-use as        refurbished cores for new rolls of material; and    -   sensor means for measuring and recording the length of the        material stripped from each used core.

The cores are preferably made of a plastics material. The cores may bemade of other suitable and appropriate materials, for example plasticsmaterials and treatable cardboard. The material on the cores may be anysuitable and appropriate material including printing paper, wallpaper,cardboard, plastics film, foil or fabric. The plastics film may be foruse in the wrapping industry. The foil may be made of a plasticsmaterial or a metal, for example aluminium. The fabric may be for use asclothing, cloth or curtains.

The sensor means preferably measures in metric units so that the sensormeans may measure in meters and/or millimeters. If desired however thesensor means may measure in imperial units so that the sensor means maythen measure in feet and inches.

The apparatus may include a waste bin or a pallet for receiving thematerial stripped from each used core.

The apparatus advantageously includes tag reader means for readingidentity tags, there being one identity tag on each used core. Theapparatus may then be one in which the identity tags are radio frequencyidentity tags, and in which the tag reader means is adapted to read theradio frequency identity tags. The tag reader means thus enables theidentification of each used core. Remaining material that was on eachused core can then be identified, along with other information on theprogress of each core during the life of its roll of material, forexample from a paper mill to a warehouse, docks, a customer paper storeand eventually to a printing machine.

The stripper means may comprise rollers for rotating the cores,end-obtaining means for obtaining a free end of the remaining materialon each used core, and pull means for pulling the remaining material offeach used core. Other types of stripper means may be employed ifdesired. The stripper means may be a single unit or a plurality of unitsarranged in line.

The rollers for rotating the cores are preferably a pair of reversibledrive rollers. The end-obtaining means is preferably a roller. Theend-obtaining means in the form of the roller may rotate in an oppositedirection to a direction of rotation of each one of the used cores bythe rollers for rotating the cores. The end-obtaining means in the formof the roller is preferably a brush roller. Rollers having other typesof surfaces for picking up the free-end of the remaining material oneach used core may be employed.

The feed means is preferably a conveyor feed means. Other types of feedmeans may be employed so that, for example, the feed means may be ahopper feed means.

The cleaning means is preferably a roller cleaning means. Other types ofcleaning means may however be employed.

Preferably, the roller cleaning means has at least one scrubbing roller,and a wash station. Preferably, the apparatus is one in which there aremore than one of the scrubbing rollers, and in which the wash station isa hot wash station. The wash station preferably includes a container forcontaining cleaning water.

The adhesive applicator means preferably comprises at least one rollerfor applying the adhesive. Preferably there are two of the rollers forapplying the adhesive. The adhesive applicator means may also include acontainer for containing the adhesive. Other types of adhesiveapplicator means that do not use rollers may be employed if desired sothat, for example, the adhesive applicator means may be a spray adhesiveapplicator means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows first apparatus for refurbishing used cores for rolls ofmaterial; and

FIG. 2 shows second apparatus for refurbishing used cores for rolls ofmaterial.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown apparatus 2 for refurbishing usedcores 4 for rolls of material in the form of printing paper. Theapparatus 2 comprises stripper means 6 for stripping remaining printingpaper 8 from the used cores 4. The apparatus 2 further comprises feedmeans 10 for feeding the used cores 4 to the stripper means 6. Cleaningmeans 12 is provided for cleaning the used cores 4 after they have beentreated by the stripper means 6. Adhesive applicator means 14 isprovided for applying adhesive 16 to the used cores 4, whereby the usedcores 4 are then ready for re-use as refurbished cores for new rolls ofprinting paper.

The apparatus 2 includes sensor means 18 for measuring and recording thelength of the printing paper 8 stripped from each used core 4. Thesensor means 18 measures the length of the printing paper 8 in meters.

The apparatus 2 also includes a waste bin 20 for receiving the printingpaper 8 stripped from each used core 4. The printing paper 8 in thewaste bin 20 is then available for re-use or disposal as may be suitableand appropriate.

The apparatus 2 further includes tag reader means 22 for readingidentity tags (not shown). There will be one identity tag on each usedcore 4. The identity tags are radio frequency identity tags. The tagreader means 22 is adapted to read the radio frequency identity tags.Thus each used core 4 can be individually identified. Particularsapplicable to that core such for example as the amount of printing paper8 remaining on the core, and the passage of the entire roll of printingpaper supported on the used core from a paper mill to a printing presscan be logged.

The stripper means 6 comprises two rollers 24 for rotating the usedcores 4. The two rollers 24 are reversible drive rollers 24. Thestripper means further comprises end-obtaining means in the form of aroller 26. The roller 26 obtains a free-end of the remaining printingpaper on each used core 4. The roller 26 is a brush roller.

The stripper means 6 further comprises pull means 28 for pulling theremaining printing paper 8 off each used core 4. The pull means 28comprises two pairs of rollers 30, 32 as shown. A transfer arm 34 helpsto transfer the free end of the printing paper 8 from the used core 4being treated by the rollers 24 to the rollers 30.

The feed means 10 is a conveyor feed means 10 as shown. The conveyorfeed means 10 comprises a conveyor 36 and dividers 38 for formingcompartments 40. There is one compartment 40 for each used core 4 asshown.

The cleaning means 12 is a roller cleaning means 12. The roller cleaningmeans 12 has scrubbing rollers 42 and a hot wash station 44. Two supportrollers 46 support the used cores 4 one at a time as they pass throughthe cleaning means 12. The support rollers 46 are then able to move thecleaned used cores 4 to the adhesive applicator means 14. Hot water 48from the hot wash station 44 is collected in a container in the form ofa tray 50.

The adhesive applicator means 14 comprises a pair of rollers 52 forapplying the adhesive 16 to the cores 4. The cores 4 then becomerefurbished cores ready for receiving new rolls of paper.

The apparatus 2 may be such that the various parts are mounted on aframe 54. Refurbished cores may leave the apparatus 2 via a slopingoutlet 56. The rollers 26, 46 may be supported as shown on a pivotingarm 58 mounted on a piston 60. The piston 6 operates in a cylinder 62 ofa hydraulic lifter 64. A similar but smaller hydraulic lifter 66 havinga piston 68 operating in a cylinder 70 supports the scrubbing rollers 42and the hot wash station 48.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown apparatus 72 for refurbishingused cores 74 for rolls of material in the form of printing paper. Theapparatus 72 comprises stripper means 76 for stripping the remainingpaper 78 from the used cores 74. The apparatus 72 further comprises feedmeans 80 for feeding the used cores 74 to the stripper means 76.Cleaning means 82 is provided for cleaning the used cores 74 after theyhave been treated by the stripper means 76. Adhesive applicator means 84is provided for applying adhesive 86 to the used cores 74, whereby theused cores 74 are then ready for re-use as refurbished cores for newrolls of printing paper.

The apparatus 72 may include sensor means (not shown) for measuring andrecording the length of the printing paper 78 stripped from each usedcore 74. The sensor means may measure the length of the printing paper78 in metres or yards as may be required.

The apparatus 72 is such that cut printing paper 78 is provided as astack 89 on a pallet 90. The printing paper 78 on the pallet 90 is thenavailable for re-use or disposal as may be suitable and appropriate.

The apparatus 72 further includes tag reader means 92 for readingidentity tags (not shown). There will be one identity tag on each usedcore 74. The identity tags are radio-frequency identity tags. The tagreader means 92 is adapted to read the radio-frequency identity tags.Each used core 74 can then be individually identified. Particularsapplicable to that core such for example as the amount of printing paper78 remaining on the core, and the passage of the entire roll of printingpaper supported on the used core from a paper mill to a printing presscan be logged.

The stripper means 76 comprises a plurality of in-line stripper means76. There may be, for example, from two-ten of the stripper means 76. InFIG. 2, three of the stripper means 76 have been shown. Each strippermeans 76 comprises a roller 94 and a brush roller 96. The brush roller96 acts to feed paper 78 (shown only in the two right hand strippermeans 76 as shown in FIG. 2) through a pair of endless conveyor belts98. The conveyor belts 98 rotate in the direction of the illustratedarrows on rollers 100. The rollers 100 are mounted on bearings 102.

The feed means 80 is a container 104 which pivots about a pivot 106 froma core load position shown by the container 104 being in broken lines,to a running position shown by the container 104 being in solid lines.The used cores 74 with their printing paper 78 may be side loaded intothe container 104. This may be done manually, for example by hand orusing an appropriate loading machine. Pivoting of the container 104 fromthe load position shown in the broken lines to the running positionshown in the full lines may be effected by a pneumatic or hydraulicdevice (not shown). A stop 108 is employed for ensuring that the papercannot come out from above the brush roller 96.

The paper from the conveyor belts 98 passes onto a main web conveyorbelt 110 which is supported on rollers 112 mounted on bearings 114. Thepaper 78 then passes between cutting and stitch cylinders 116. A blade(not shown) mounted on one of the cylinders 116 cuts the paper 78. Thecut paper 78 then passes onto the conveyor belt 118 and then betweenconveyor belts 120, 122 where it emerges as cut sheets 78 for the stack89.

As shown in FIG. 2, the used cores 74 which have been stripped of paperare fed, for example manually, to a core conveyor 124. The cores thenpass to the cleaning means 82 which is an in-line core washer. Thewashed cores 74 then pass to the adhesive applicator means 84.

The used cores 4 used in the apparatus of the present invention are madeof a material suitable for being refurbished by the apparatus. Thus, forexample, the used cores may be made of a plastics material. The usedcores may comprise a body portion, a bore through the body portion, afirst end member which is removably secured to a first end of the bodyportion, and a second end member which is removably secured to a secondend of the body portion. The cores can each be provided with an identitytag such as a radio frequency identity tag. The identity tags are ableto be recycled with the cores, and thus wastage of cores in throwingthem away is avoided. If handling of a roll of paper should cause thefirst end member and the second end member to become damaged, then thedamaged member can easily be replaced while still retaining theremainder of the core. The core may be one in which the first end memberis inserted into the bore at the first end of the body portion, and inwhich the second end member is inserted into the bore at the second endof the body portion. The core may be one in which the first end of thebody portion receives an insert portion on the first end member, and inwhich the second end of the body portion receives an insert portion onthe second end member. The first end member may be a push-in frictionfit in the first end of the body portion, and the second end member maybe a push-in friction fit in the second end of the body portion.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention describedabove with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by wayof example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, forexample, different types of stripper means 6, cleaning means 12 andadhesive applicator means 14 to those shown in the drawings may beemployed. The cores for may be for rolls of material other than printingpaper.

1. Apparatus for refurbishing used cores for rolls of material, whichapparatus comprises: stripper means for stripping remaining materialfrom the used cores; feed means for feeding the used cores to thestripper means; cleaning means for cleaning the used cores after theyhave been treated by the stripper means; adhesive applicator means forapplying adhesive to the used cores whereby the used cores are thenready for re-use as refurbished cores for new rolls of material; andsensor means for measuring and recording the length of the materialstripped from each used core.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in whichthe sensor means measures in metric units.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 1 and including a waste bin or a pallet for receiving the materialstripped from each used core.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 andincluding tag reader means for reading identity tags, there being oneidentity tag on each used core.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 inwhich the identity tags are radio frequency identity tags, and in whichthe tag reader means is adapted to read the radio frequencyidentification tags.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which thestripper means comprises rollers for rotating the used cores,end-obtaining means for obtaining a free end of the remaining materialon each used core, and pull means for pulling the remaining material offeach used core.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the rollersfor rotating the core are a pair of reversible drive rollers. 8.Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the end-obtaining means is aroller.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the roller is a brushroller.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the feed means is aconveyor feed means.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which thecleaning means is a roller cleaning means.
 12. Apparatus according toclaim 11 in which the roller cleaning means has at least one scrubbingroller, and a wash station.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in whichthere are more than one of the scrubbing rollers, and in which the washstation is a hot wash station.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 12 inwhich the wash station includes a container for containing cleaningwater.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the adhesiveapplicator means comprises at least one roller for applying theadhesive.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which there are two ofthe rollers for applying the adhesive.
 17. Apparatus according to claim15 and including a container for containing the adhesive.